The Nexus Difference - Part 4: Private Training Bays

In the previous segment of The Nexus Difference, we looked at how our specially designed walls have multiple layers of protection built in to enhance shooter safety.  Now, let's take a look at how we are using those walls to create multiple independent bays to enhance your shooting experience even further! 

THE PROBLEMS:  Most ranges compromise your safety by crowding multiple shooters into a single room.  Looking at the diagram above, it is easy to see how having many customers of varying skill levels packed tightly together is detrimental to safety. 

-  Sweeping muzzles:   Untrained shooters may have poor muzzle discipline or even walk around behind other patrons pointing their firearms in unsafe directions.

-  Noise:  Trying to shout loudly enough to be heard over the continuous gunfire as well as through earplugs and muffs is nearly impossible. For nervous first time shooters, being unable to hear instructions is unacceptable!

- Unrealistic training: Training from a static firing position is only adequate to learn basic target shooting. If you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to defend yourself, being able to shoot a non-moving piece of paper while you are standing still in one spot is of limited value. In a real life scenario, the players are constantly in motion! Also, the majority of home intrusions occur in the dead of night. How can you handle a low-visibility nighttime shooting if you've never practiced in those conditions? 

-  Poor Ventilation:  The inadequately ventilated room fills with smoke and vaporized lead from multiple shooters (see our prior post about the differences in ventilation systems here... http://nexusshooting.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-nexus-shooting-difference-part-1.html).

THE NEXUS SOLUTION:  As can be easily seen in the picture above, having multiple shooting bays at Nexus alleviates these issues.  This makes it is easier for us to separate customers for the ultimate in safety.   Nexus has EIGHT independent shooting bays varying in size from 10 to 150 feet wide!   Whether you want a whole bay for yourself or have a large group of 10 to 20 people, we can easily accommodate you.

-  Control of the entire room:   Control of an individual bay allows for easy discussion without having to shout over the gunfire of other patrons. 

-  Privacy:  Families with children, public figures, celebrities, and women seeking a safe and discreet experience can shoot without being concerned about other customers. 

-  Low light training: Look at the female patron in the left most bay.  Having your own bay means you can turn the lights to a low setting to properly practice with a handheld or weapon-mounted light.  In our opinion, this is the only way to prepare for the possibility of a nighttime encounter.

-  Shooting on the move:  By separating the range into multiple bays, experienced members will be able to shoot on the move.  Practical training like this is unavailable in any other indoor range around!  This is also key for practical firearms competitors.  Those of you engaged in USPSA/IPSC, IDPA, 3-gun, etc. will find Nexus to be your ultimate training ground.  You will no longer have to limit your training at static ranges.  Rent out your own bay, set up your own course of fire, and gain a competitive edge!   We will have equipment similar to those found at most practical competitions available for your use, including obstacles, cover, doorways, windows, reactive steel, moving targets, etc.

The Nexus Difference Part 3: Shooter Safety

In this segment of The Nexus Difference, let's continue to take a closer look at what makes Nexus one of the safest ranges in existence.  In the previous article, we described how we are utilizing a million dollar military grade ventilation system to ensure the health of our patrons as well as our employees by decreasing dangerous lead and airborne toxin exposure. 

The most important way to ensure safety is to emphasize shooter education.  Shooters who are knowledgeable on fundamental etiquette and range rules are vital for everyone's safety.  We will discuss this aspect of safety in a future segment.  For this article, we will describe some of the innovative features built into the physical range itself.

The first safety system in place is the stall walls separating adjacent shooters.  Amazingly, if you read some of the range safety rules posted at other ranges, they state explicitly that their stall walls are NOT bulletproof.  Our stall walls are constructed of ballistic steel UL rated to the appropriate level of protection.  You can shoot without worrying about the safety standards of the person in the stall next to you.

The next feature that makes Nexus Shooting safer than most ranges is the actual physical walls of the range.  Most ranges have a single layer of bare or painted concrete block (often times hollow), or even worse just a couple of sheets of drywall.  Clearly, this would be ineffective at preventing penetrating rounds, ricochets or shrapnel.

As can be seen in the diagram below, at Nexus Shooting the walls between each range have ELEVEN layers of protection, each with a specific purpose.  The first layer is a two inch thick layer of sound insulation.  This helps to protect your hearing by decreasing the reverberation and noise of gunfire.  Personal hearing protection is still required; however, this sound insulation is a beneficial adjunct. 

The next few layers include plywood, a rubber membrane, crushed rock, and ballistic steel.  These multiple layers are specifically designed to contain errant shots.  The bullet penetrates the plywood, rubber, and crushed rock, and smashes against the ballistic steel.  This prevents penetration into the adjacent rooms.  But, the shrapnel from the smashing bullet and ricocheting of the bullet itself can be almost just as dangerous as the primary penetration of the bullet.  This is where the other layers come into play.  The energy of the shrapnel is dissipated and the fragments are contained by the crushed rock and plywood layers.  The middle layer is solid 4000 PSI concrete.  Then, on the other side of the concrete, the same layers are repeated (steel, rock, rubber, plywood, and sound insulation), thus DOUBLING the protection between ranges. 

Every wall between our separate ranges is protected in this manner.  This allows for safe tactical training all the way up and down range.  Lining all of the walls with these multiple layers of protection is expensive, but at Nexus Shooting, your safety is our highest priority! 

Construction Update #4: Quick peek at our ventilation system

Here are a couple of quick pictures of the ventilation system.   The first picture is only one of the TWELVE units required for cooling and ventilation of the range being installed on the roof.  These units require a semi-truck to deliver and a huge crane to install.  As you can tell by the size of this monster, we aren't messing around when it comes to having the best cooling and ventilation possible!  Also, check out the massive ventilation ducting for one of the ranges!

Construction Update #3

The build is moving along at a rapid pace.  Our partners, Action Target and Carey's Ventilation, who are outfitting the range have done hundreds of ranges throughout the nation, and both have stated that they've never seen a range built so quickly, especially one that is so intricately detailed.

The steel framework for the front facade is in place, and now the beautiful angled architectural lines of our building are clearly evident.  Our massive skylight will fill the retail area with natural light and give it an open and spacious feel!  We won't be just another plain and dark rectangular box building, warehouse, or strip mall range!

Nexus Shooting is seeking a diversified staff!

We would encourage members of all ethnic groups, all ages, and both genders to apply for positions at Nexus.  We feel that in order to provide the highest level of service to our customers, a staff with varied life experience will best help us gain insight into the needs of our patrons.  Nexus Shooting wants to break the mold of the testosterone-fueled-alpha-male machismo atmosphere of most gun stores with a friendly, professional, and diversified staff.  We have already extended job offers to members of four different ethnic backgrounds and a nearly equal number of males and females.  So, for anyone concerned about the prototypical staff seen at most gun shops, we would assure you that your future colleagues and work environment at Nexus will be far superior to what you've seen and encourage you to apply today!  Details on the application process can be found here: 
http://nexusshooting.blogspot.com/2012/10/nexus-shooting-is-now-hiring-apply-today.html

Nexus Shooting is now hiring! Apply today!

Are you interested in joining Nexus Shooting?  We are looking for enthusiastic, clean cut, friendly, and energetic team players to help us bring our vision into reality.  If you DON'T have the typical "I know more about guns than you and you are not worth my time!" attitude that seems to be the norm at most gun shops, then you'll fit right in!   NO prior firearm experience is necessary. 

Nexus Shooting is bringing the future of indoor range shooting and firearms retail to Davie, Florida.  With 40 lanes available in traditional or electronic targeting systems, reactive and moving targets, an advanced air-conditioned ventilation system, run and gun, and private bays, Nexus will provide an unequaled state of the art range and retail facility.

Positions currently available include (see descriptions below):

- Sales

- Range Safety Officers

- Greeters
  
- Gunsmith

All employees will be expected to provide the highest level of customer service, assist in the daily operations of the range, follow Nexus policies and priorities, and be able to work in cooperation with other employees.  Employees will also be expected to become familiar with federal, state, and local firearms laws, and take a quiz as part of the interview and selection process.  No prior firearm knowledge is necessary as regular training classes throughout the year as well as a one month intensive pre-opening course will be provided.  Employees may be required to undergo random drug testing. 

To apply, please click this link to fill out the online application and upload your resume at the bottom of the application form:  https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form?EQBCT=7b320ec7aaa546d6a90841d70bb99edf

Questions can be directed to zrmcwilliams@nexusshooting.com or calling (954) 587-8005.

---

Sales

Primary Responsibilities - Assist customers in sales of firearms and with accurate knowledge of current firearms law in firearms and accessories sales.  Become familiar with range equipment such as the customer kiosk, lane selection interface, and electronic targeting system.  Be proficient in handling refunds, consignment transactions, rentals, and firearms.  Stay up to date on product information and firearm law.  Ensure compliance of firearms transactions with federal, state, and local laws.

Pay/Benefits - $11/hour initial pay increasing up to $15/hour based on time, experience, and proficiency plus profit sharing.  A health insurance plan will be available.  Employee discounts provided.

---

Range Safety Officer

Primary Responsibilities - Ensure that customers are shooting in a safe manner and in accordance with range policies.  Perform daily maintenance and cleaning of the range.  Assist customers with firearms malfunctions and range equipment. Ensure that all shooters are adults or minors accompanied by a parent/guardian. Ensure that ammunition sales are made to adults or minors accompanied by a parent/guardian.  Accomplish these tasks both on foot throughout the range and at the central monitoring station.

Pay/Benefits- $9/hour base pay increasing up to $12/hour based on time, proficiency, and experience plus profit sharing.  A health insurance plan will be available.  Employee discounts provided.

---

Greeter

Primary Responsibilities - Greet customers entering the premises. Inform new customers of membership options, range policies, and direct them to the appropriate location.

Pay/Benefits- $9/hour base pay increasing up to $12/hour based on time, proficiency, and experience plus profit sharing.  A health insurance plan will be available.  Employee discounts provided.

---

Gunsmith

Primary Responsibilities - Provide basic gunsmithing services including, but not limited to, installing and adjusting sights, cleaning, NFA engraving, basic diagnosis and repairs, after-market customizations, and preventative maintenance of range rental guns.  Be knowledgeable and meticulously detailed in proper intake, modification, and release of firearms in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws.  Prior experience is a must.  Gunsmithing degree or certification is a must.

Pay/Benefits -$12/hour initial pay increasing up to $18/hour based on time, experience, and proficiency plus profit sharing.  A health insurance plan will be available.  Employee discounts provided.

The Nexus Shooting Difference - Part 2 - Bullet Traps

Arguably, the single most important piece of safety equipment on a shooting range is the bullet trap.  A properly constructed trap is vital to prevent bullets exiting the range and harming people and property outside of the range.  But, an often overlooked aspect that is equally as important, it that it must capture and prevent ricocheting bullets to prevent harm to the patrons inside of the range.  There are a wide variety of bullet traps in existence including granulated rubber traps, steel funnel traps at each lane, wide open steel funnel traps, or even a dirt berm in a basement.  All of these serve the primary purpose of ensuring that bullets do not exit the range adequately.  But, only one of these is the best at protecting the shooters inside of a range. 

The  steel funnel type of trap at each individual lane seen below is very common at indoor ranges.  Why?  Because it is relatively inexpensive.  The problem with this kind of trap is that the very narrow opening that leads to the bullet deceleration chamber can clog with lead residue over time and eventually these openings can fill up to the point that bullets strike the buildup and ricochet erratically.  Also, the presence of vertical partitions between each trap provides a second area where bullets can and have ricocheted.

Although rubber traps do a very good job of capturing bullets and are very cost effective initially, they are subject to a high degree of maintenance.  These traps can work just fine as long as the are regularly maintained every few weeks to months depending on the volume of shooting.   However, if the rubber traps are not cleaned out frequently, a large pocket of lead can build up in a highly concentrated area.  As the superficial layers of rubber are worn away and this lead ball builds up to the surface of the trap, the likelihood of a bullet striking this large metallic mass increases, as does the chance of dangerous ricochets.

  

We could have easily equipped our range with one of these less expensive traps; however, just as we spared no expense obtaining the best ventilation system possible to protect our customers' health, we purchased the safest trap available despite the fact that it costs considerably more than these other options.  Thus, we decided to go with Action Target's Total Containment Trap for our rifle lanes.  These are the same traps used at many military and law enforcement installations.  The design of this steel ramp guides bullets into a deceleration chamber with no intervening vertical components present that could cause dangerous ricochets.   This trap is not subject to the same maintenance requirements as rubber traps as the spent lead is automatically and continuously collected into containers by a mechanical auger system.  So, patrons can shoot without worrying about whether the range management is performing the necessary maintenance to ensure safety because for the Total Containment Trap it is being maintained continuously!

In fact it is so safe that shooters involved with tactical training will be permitted to shoot as close as only 1 yard away!  Also, for tactical shooters you can shoot at any angle all the way across the entire width of the range from a single position due to the lack of vertical obstructions.  

Watch the video below to see an officer fire as close as 1 yard away and shoot  an AR-15 at multiple angles!

On the pistol side of the range, we will be utilizing Action Target's flat trap which incorporates an angled metal plate that stops bullets, but we will also have multiple layers of self healing rubber curtain which prevents splatter and ricochets.  When a bullet passes through this rubber material, a 9 mm bullet leaves a hole only the size of a pinhole enabling the curtain to take hundreds of thousands of rounds before needing replacement.  The curtain prevents any backsplatter or ricocheting metallic fragments from reaching the shooter. 

Nexus Shooting is committed to shooter safety and well being.  In the next additions of our Nexus Shooting Difference series, we will continue to detail our plan to create the best possible indoor shooting range environment by covering topics such as sound abatement, innovative safety products, and more.